Three SEC powerhouses made up Tier 1, and as he pointed out, all three programs make sense. At Alabama, he has the best chance to win a national title, but both Florida and Georgia are contenders as well.

Georgia fans have to feel great about the Bulldogs being high on the list, especially considering head coach Mark Richt's inability to land top in-state recruits last cycle. This year has been a different story, though, as nine of the Bulldogs' 16 commitments have hailed from "The Peach State."

In fact, here's what the 5-star had to say about Georgia, per Woody Wommack of Rivals.com:

Georgia is the in-state school and Coach [Bryan] McClendon does a great job, he's on me all the time. Coach Richt is a great coach, and my father and Coach Richt have a great relationship.

Carter would fit well into LSU's 4-3 scheme, and LSU has been successful sending defensive ends into the NFL. Factor in the great home stadium and LSU's status as a consistent contender in the SEC, and the Tigers have to feel good about their chances in this race as well. They'll feel even better if they can get Carter on campus. He wants to do so, per Wommack's report:

It's pretty far, so I don't get to see it that much. I feel like [defensive line] Coach [Brick] Haley does a great job and he's a great recruiter. LSU, I'd love to get down there so I can see it for myself.

Two other big-time programs made the cut. Carter gave the nod to Notre Dame and Oregon:

Notre Dame is still a contender despite last year's title-game debacle, and the Fighting Irish would receive a huge recruiting boost if Carter was to commit to them. Brian Kelly's squad has been pretty quiet as of late on the recruiting trail, but Notre Dame has still put together a great class. Carter could put that group over the top.

Oregon is an interesting choice if only because of the opening of their new super facility. Carter's athleticism would be utilized perfectly with the Ducks, though, so don't count Mark Helfrich and his team out.

Jimbo Fisher and defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt have been big-timers on the recruiting trail this cycle, and Carter could join a class that's already ranked No. 2, according to the 247Sports team rankings.

FSU is going to be a team to reckon with in 2013 and beyond, especially defensively, so even though the Seminoles came in last here, they're a program that should be taken seriously.

In all, Carter's top seven does his talent level justice.

According to the 247Sports composite, he's the fifth-best recruit nationally, so when he does eventually decide where he wants to go, one of these seven programs will be getting a major commitment.

He projects to play defensive end in a 4-3 or outside linebacker in the 3-4.